Prepare for Summer Weather with Opportunities to Save Energy

Last summer, an extended heat wave in California caused unprecedented high energy demand that threatened electricity outages across the state. During this period, several Flex Alerts were issued, and the corresponding actions taken by communities, residents, and businesses to reduce electricity use made the difference in keeping California powered.

Flex Alerts are voluntary calls for action from CAISO (California Independent System Operator) for consumers to conserve electricity when extremely hot weather drives up electricity use. This is most likely to happen in the evening hours when solar generation is going offline, and consumers are returning home and switching on air conditioners, lights, and appliances.

CPA shares CAISO Flex Alert updates and conservation information through our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages, as well as on our website, cleanpoweralliance.org.

In addition to sharing alerts and energy saving tips, CPA also has programs for residential and commercial customers that not only support the collective effort to lessen energy use during critical periods but can save customers money on their bills as well.

CPA’s Power Response Program is a demand response program that provides financial incentives to encourage customers to reduce energy when periods of high use are expected to put strain on the grid. The program features pathways for residents, businesses and public sector entities to participate. Customers can find the program that’s right for them here.

To save energy and protect the grid during periods of extraordinary heat, the following practices help:

Turn off unnecessary electronics and lights
Use fans instead of running the air conditioner
If using the air conditioner set it to 78 degrees or higher
Unplug electrical devices you’re not using
Close blinds and drapes to keep rooms cooler
Avoid using major appliances such as dishwashers, washers and dryers
Wait to start charging electric vehicles until after 10 p.m.
If your water heater is electric, delay running hot water or hot showers

To sign up to receive Flex Alerts and for additional energy conservation tips, visit FlexAlert.org.

Clean Power Alliance (CPA) was founded in 2017 to provide clean, reliable, cost competitive electricity to Southern California communities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, stimulate local renewable energy development and job creation, and offer programs that improve the lives of the residents in the communities we serve. CPA is now the fourth largest electricity provider in California and has the most customers receiving 100% renewable energy in the nation, while serving approximately three million people via one million customer accounts. To learn more, view CPA’s 2022 Impact Report here. For complete information regarding CPA visit www.cleanpoweralliance.org.

Sergei Kotsan

Sergei Kotsan serves the Energy Risk Manager for Clean Power Alliance. He has over a decade of experience working on quantitative research and modelling of the wholesale power markets as well as hedging commercial risk and market monitoring. He led commercial operations at TexGen and fundamentals research at Talen Energy on the power supply side. He also has utility experience at Portland General Electric and Pacific Gas and Electric evaluating market risks and financial valuation on the demand side. In addition, he worked at the Market Monitoring Unit at CAISO, developing dashboards and preparing market reports. Sergei holds Ph.D. in Economics from West Virginia University.

Rachel Allred

Rachel serves as Project Manager, Settlements for Clean Power Alliance. Rachel is responsible for reviewing and identifying discrepancies with our California Independent System Operator (CASIO) and bilateral counterparty invoices, validating transactions of wholesale market products, and performing after the fact analysis on settlements and Congestion Revenue Rights (CRR) to influence resource optimization and CRR strategies. Prior to joining Clean Power Alliance, Rachel served as a Power Settlements Analyst at Utah Municipal Power Agency for two years where she developed and finalized all settlement processes. Rachel earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Lewis-Clark State College.

Riju Mondal

Riju serves as the Website Developer, Communications and Marketing at CPA. He brings over 10 years of software development experience in addition to having a strong background in information technology and server infrastructure. Riju oversees all web related functions at CPA to ensure that the organization is able to effectively sustain meeting the requirements of its rapidly growing digital presence. Prior to joining CPA, Riju worked as a digital content developer at Claremont Graduate University where he developed and launched an online learning platform for the federally funded POLARIS mentoring program for museum professionals. More recently, Riju founded and operated a web development and digital marketing agency which served government organizations, non-profits, and other multi agency partners. Riju holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems & E-Business from Cal Poly Pomona. Riju supports CPA’s overall goal and mission to a cleaner, brighter future.

Jacob Adamson

Jacob Adamson is an Analyst, Data and Systems, at Clean Power Alliance (CPA), where he collaborates with the Data and Systems team to develop and maintain robust data analytics frameworks. Jacob supports cross-functional departments in data enablement and business intelligence, focusing on automating reporting tasks and assisting staff with data requests. With a background in engineering, information technology, regulatory analysis, and data analytics, Jacob brings a wealth of expertise to CPA’s work in the renewable energy sector. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, is a former licensed professional engineer in the state of Colorado, and is a GCP certified professional data engineer. Outside of work, Jacob is passionate about outdoor recreation, conservation, and engineering sustainable community development.

Ammad Mansoor

Ammad serves as the Analyst, Strategic Finance at CPA. He comes to CPA with 3 years of prior experience in financial planning and analysis. Ammad most recently served as a Financial Analyst at Georgia Power, the largest subsidiary of the Southern Company. In this role, he supported various areas in the Customer Experience division where he ensured timely and accurate financial reporting, conducted monthly expense forecasting, and created 5-year budgets with the approval of the Georgia PSC. He also sat on the 2024 Budget Committee where he contributed to developing guidelines for the company’s budgeting process and identifying areas for cost savings. Ammad earned his Bachelor’s in Finance from the University of Central Florida.